EchoStar Preparing to Drop Viacom Channels

[Kyl416]

EchoStar Communications' DISH Network satellite service will stop carrying signals from CBS's 15 owned-and-operated television stations at midnight Monday if the satellite company and CBS parent Viacom can't resolve a legal dispute over retransmission fees and the networks EchoStar must carry.

The deadline stems from a restraining order imposed by a federal judge that was set to expire March 8, after which EchoStar must cease airing those 15 O&Os if the two companies have not reached a settlement. Local affiliates not owned by Viacom are not affected.

At issue is the rate EchoStar must pay Viacom to retransmit CBS and which cable networks the satellite operator must carry. Specifically, EchoStar officials are balking at Viacom's demand that in order to carry CBS it must also carry the Nickelodeon GAS channel. EchoStar filed an antitrust suit against Viacom to challenge the media giant's demands.

If no agreement can be reached by the deadline, all of the Viacom networks carried by EchoStar would go dark. In addition to top-rated CBS, the networks affected include MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.Just giving a warning to everybody, especially viewers who want to see the last Raw before WrestleMania XX and viewers who recieve Viacom Owned UPN Stations.

[Caffeine King]

What the hell?! :mad:

So will it eventually comeback if the idiots make a deal? :mad:

O_O I won't be able to watch Chapelle' Show!!! :eek:

[Kyl416]

Yes. But I suggest you switch to DirecTV tommorow to guarantee that you will be able to continue to watch these channels.

[Spike Mcdougal]

EchoStar Communications' DISH Network satellite

If that's trune then why have I been getting a crawl saying those channels were getting droped?

[The Dork Knight]

Thankfully I have DirecTV. :D

- The Dork Knight

[Burgundy Ranger]

I saw the crawl last night on TV Land and BET (as I was flipping through the channels), specifically addressing DISHNet subscribers.

Cable and DirecTV folk are safe.

[EroSennin]

Ugh I have DISH. Ive been thinking of going to Direct TV and this puts me over the edge. I hope they have all same channels

[Kyl416]

Ugh I have DISH. Ive been thinking of going to Direct TV and this puts me over the edge. I hope they have all same channelsThey pretty much have all the same channels. Except some International Channels.

[Storm Eagle]

Cable and DirecTV folk are safe. Thank God.

I saw the message when I was watching MTV2 this morning. Hopefully I can get all their Beavis and Butt-head episodes on tape this time.

Now I don't want to hear it from either one of you. :D

[Classic Speedy]

Boo to corporations fighting amongst themselves. Everybody's a loser in this scenario, myself included (a Dish Network subscriber). On the other hand, I can see this being resolved quickly, what with the wave of calls Dish is sure to get.

[EroSennin]

Well i was just watching Vh-1 and saw the message well the 1st few words anyway then it looks like Dish put a giant black bar across it so you cant read it. Anyone know exactly what it said?

[PaQ]

Ok.. That won't be right if I am forced to miss RAW.. *sigh* I hope they settle their dispute, I'd hate to miss the last RAW before XX and possibly RAWs after that.. :sad:

[Kyl416]

Don't worry about missing Raw. I just recieved word that Spike TV isn't one of the channels involved in the dispute.



The message said that Dish Network is threatening to take away several Viacom channels from you. It says to call Dish Network and tell them you don't want to lose the channels that you're paying for.

[DR.MID-NITE]

Doc,

I also have Dish and this also put me over the edge. One channel I know we do loose is Style Channel. My daughter is bummed. But, we gain Trio, PBS kids and for me Yes Network, so I can finally see my Yanks again.

[Tapout]

I'm still on plain ol' regular analog cable so it's not really a problem for me, but I saw the crawl during Dogma on Comedy Central yesterday and let me just say this:

It's almost worth losing all the other channels if they take away MTV.

[sag_2002]

I have Dish Network, but, as of a couple months ago, my cable service also gets MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, TV Land, and Spike TV. So, I'm safe here.

[Kyl416]

Request: Any Dish Network Customers, please IM me at Midnight and tell me if you lost the Viacom Channels

[Neo-Era]

Viacom sucks.

[Wounded_Dragon]

Midnight what time zone.

As for flashing Dish's customer service line...I'd find it hilarious if someone posted an ad featuring Viacom's 'service line' so we could complain about crappy programming.

[EroSennin]

its midnight pac time

Here in NY, just lost CBS, MTV, MTV2, VH1, BET, NICK, NICKW, but still got spike. Tomorrow i call direct tv. YES Network here I come

[krazymed]

I was ready to drop the service, but then I realized that the only show from Viacom I watch is Joan of Arcadia, and it's going to be in repeats for a while. So I actually didn't lose anything. As long as I still have Spike for my WWE fix, Viacom and Dish can fight for the next year for all I care.

[GMB]

Yeah, all the Viacom channels are gone on mine, and while it kinda sucks to lose Comedy Central, better this than having to eat a rate hike because Viacom's feeling unloved.

Why a company needs more money when they're one of the six corporations that own damn near every media outlet is beyond me.

Screw 'em. Life is about more than TV channels anyways.

[Chad Bonin]

Heh. Comedy Central's now airing a commercial, showing all the shows your friends are losing ("What about The Daily Show? More like 'The Never Show'!), saying that "Now, Comedy Central's exclusive to cable and Direct TV. Make room on your couch for Dish Network friends".

Pretty entertaining commercial for one that was cranked out in days, at least.

[Jowy Blight]

I lost the channels also. It doesn't really bother me since I never watched any of those channels anyway (except for Comedy Central anyway).

[DR.MID-NITE]

The following was posted at the home theater forum and it is scary if the info is correct.

From the WBZ Channel 4 Boston website:

Attention Dish Network/Echostar subscribers: CBS4/WBZ-TV deeply regrets any inconvenience to our viewers resulting from Dish Network's decision to drop CBS4/WBZ-TV. Dish Network just raised rates for many subscribers by three dollars per month, yet they are refusing to pay Viacom barely 6 cents more per month so you can continue to get all of the CBS programs, CBS4/WBZ-TV's local news, weather and sports, and all of the Viacom cable channels including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. We are continuing to try to negotiate a fair resolution to this completely unnecessary situation, and in the meantime, we remind our viewers that our signal remains available for free over the air, as well as by subscription from DirecTV and your local cable operator. Thank you. Click here for more information.

$.06??????!!!!!!

[Caffeine King]

6 cents? :shrug:

DISH Network is cheap. :shrug:

I guess we'll be switching to Direct TV now. :D

[Boy Wonder]

I subscribe to Cable, that annoying reminder was running across the screen unlistable amount of time. IT WAS ANNOYING!

[Kyl416]

Wow $3. Cable raises their rates twice as much every 2 years. Anyway, WCBS/2 in New York has the same message on their site too.

[DR.MID-NITE]

I have dish and lost of the channels mentioned. But, I still have Spike TV and they have been running commercials saying that Dish might be losing it also. If we are how come it is still on? And when are we losing it?

[EroSennin]

I have dish and lost of the channels mentioned. But, I still have Spike TV and they have been running commercials saying that Dish might be losing it also. If we are how come it is still on? And when are we losing it?I just watched the chat w/ the ceo and he said they already have contracts w/ spike, CMTV, and TvLand although viacom wanted to rework them, so no Spike isnt going anywhere

[Kyl416]

I just watched the chat w/ the ceo and he said they already have contracts w/ spike, CMTV, and TvLand although viacom wanted to rework them, so no Spike isnt going anywhereWhat was the attitude of the customers during the chat? Did anybody threaten to switch to DirecTV or yell at the CEO?

[DR.MID-NITE]

What was the attitude of the customers during the chat? Did anybody threaten to switch to DirecTV or yell at the CEO?


They tried. But, before they could say anything 3 or 4 goons would take them outside and kick the crap out of them, ;)

Seriously, I didn't see it. But, I too would like to know what was said.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

I saw the scrolling announcement last night and figured it would be discussed. Here's the announcement as it appeared on TV:

"Attention Echostar/Dish Network subscribers: Dish Network has threatened to take away the following channels from Dish Network subscribers: BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Nick at Nite, and many more channels from Nickelodeon and MTV. Dish Network subscribers call 1-800-333-DISH and tell Dish Network that you want to keep the channels you paid for!"

To all current Dish Network subscribers: I feel your pain. :sad:

[Sigma]

For once im glad I have DirectTV.

[Samoht]

Great, no Comedy Central.. Right before the 8th season of South Park starts too.
I hate DISH.

[Kyl416]

Great, no Comedy Central.. Right before the 8th season of South Park starts too.
I hate DISH.Comedy Central is running this really funny commercial about it only being available on Cable and DirecTV, it mentions to make room on your couch for your Dish Network subscribing Neighbor.

[Chad Bonin]

Post 23. Mentioned the commercial already.

[EroSennin]

What was the attitude of the customers during the chat? Did anybody threaten to switch to DirecTV or yell at the CEO?
Noone yelled but there was one or 2 people saying they would leave if it wasnt resolved quickly. Most were inquisitive as to what Viacom wanted and how much it would cost them

[DR.MID-NITE]

Well it looks like a settlement may be near. But, this was the last straw with Dish and I ordered Directv.

Here is the link to the new info:

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/ECHOSTAR_VIACOM?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Bound High]

Is TV losing out to video games?

Monday, March 8, 2004 Posted: 10:35 AM EST (1535 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Is there a prime time for video game players?

Sony Corp., maker of the PlayStation 2 video game console, said a study of the online gaming habits showed that peak usage was between 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., a span that encompasses television's prime time.

The study, which Sony conducted in February and released March 4, comes amid a potentially costly debate for the networks about whether fewer younger men have been watching broadcast television.

February is one of the television industry's "sweeps" periods, when ratings are used to set local TV advertising rates, and Sony said that 65 percent of its online gaming audience during TV's prime time -- 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. week nights -- were men aged 18 to 34.

Roughly 10 percent, or 2.6 million, of Sony's PS2-installed user base in North America is online, the company said.

At the outset of the TV season, viewership in the men 18-34 demographic was down anywhere from 8 percent to 12 percent, leading the networks to question the validity of the data being provided by Nielsen Media Research. Nielsen has defended the accuracy of its data.

Both sides have suggested that increased video game play could be among the many factors leading to the decline in TV viewership by younger men.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/fun.games/03/08/tv.playstation.reut/index.html

[Greg Method]

Well it looks like a settlement may be near. But, this was the last straw with Dish and I ordered Directv.
You do know this was Viacom's fault, right? They are asking for four times the usual amount for fifteen local CBS affiliates that they own and are holding the cable stations hostage until Dish Network agrees to pay the outrageous amount.

You can read all about it at Dish's site:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/programming

I mean, that paints a clearer picture than Viacom's "six cents" nonsense, doesn't it?

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm definitely calling the Viacom numbers to complain about what they're doing. Why let them get away with extortion? If Viacom wins, all it's going to do is put the cable and satellite companies at the mercy of the media corporations, which will then result in higher bills for us no matter what service we subscribe to.

[Kyl416]

Uh, it's Dish's fault. Isn't it funny that Dish Network is the only company that Viacom had a problem with?

Viacom Press Briefing on EchoStar Pulling our Networks (http://www.viacom.com/press.tin?ixPressRelease=80254209)

Viacom Statement Regarding EchoStar/DISH Network's Removal of our Networks (http://www.viacom.com/press.tin?ixPressRelease=80254208)

[Kyl416]

I just realized something, what about the parents of the 4 year old who is going throw a fit because they couldn't watch Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer. That's gonna be hell for them.

[PaQ]

I just realized something, what about the parents of the 4 year old who is going throw a fit because they couldn't watch Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer. That's gonna be hell for them.Well the parents better start buying DVD's or something.. :p Or of course go to the ol' faithful Sesame Street..

Yeah this whole channel thing is an inconvenience and hopefully it gets settled soon but really I think people who are switching providers after what two days now are over reacting a bit.. Sometimes things like this happens in negotiations.. and it's just a few channels, sure I'll miss my MTV, CBS, NICK channels while they're gone.. but hopefully it's not permanent, and really they're just channels anyway..

I was laughing when the local station was interviewing a woman who was upset because she might not catch her Survivor... :rolleyes: It's just a show people..

Although thankfully we still have the ol' attennae up on the roof.. Might be able to catch CBS..:sweat:

[DR.MID-NITE]

You do know this was Viacom's fault, right? They are asking for four times the usual amount for fifteen local CBS affiliates that they own and are holding the cable stations hostage until Dish Network agrees to pay the outrageous amount.

You can read all about it at Dish's site:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/programming

I mean, that paints a clearer picture than Viacom's "six cents" nonsense, doesn't it?

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm definitely calling the Viacom numbers to complain about what they're doing. Why let them get away with extortion? If Viacom wins, all it's going to do is put the cable and satellite companies at the mercy of the media corporations, which will then result in higher bills for us no matter what service we subscribe to.

Greg,

Trust me I don't think it is just Dish's fault. But, if Directv was able to work out a deal and not have a big rate increase why can't Dish. And like I said earlier this is the same problem Dish had with the YES network. Both blamed the other and I still have no Yank games. I also don't believe what is said at Dish's website is the complete truth and the same would go for Viacom's explaination.

[krazymed]

If you are a Dish viewer, you blame both of them.

[Jimmy Kustes]

As long as you get Cartoon Network, F Viacom. They own every billboard in the nation.

[EroSennin]

Well i was just watching the news(which I never watch) and they just had breaking news that they have made a deal to bring back the channels and what do ya know I just flipped on CBS an it works.

JUst found this http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040310005883&newsLang=en

Viacom and DISH Network Reach Long-Term Agreement; CBS, MTV Networks and BET Restored

NEW YORK & ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2004--Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) and EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network today announced that they have reached a long-term, multi-channel agreement that provides for the satellite TV distribution of CBS, BET, and the MTV Networks channels previously carried by DISH Network.


"It's great to have our networks back in front of all our viewers, and to bring a new service, Nicktoons, to DISH Network subscribers," said Mel Karmazin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Viacom. "We apologize to our viewers for the disruption in their service, and want to thank them for their patience and support. We look forward to continuing to serve our viewers through DISH Network well into the future."

"This agreement with Viacom allows DISH Network to remain the lowest-cost, all digital TV provider in the country," said Charles Ergen, chairman and chief executive officer of EchoStar. "We understand that this has been a difficult few days for our customers, and we thank them for all the encouragement they have given us throughout. We also look forward to a long relationship with Viacom in which we can provide their quality channels to our viewers."

The multi-year agreement restores full service of CBS in 16 markets as well as Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Noggin, GAS, VH1, VH1 Classic, MTV Espanol and BET in all markets. Additionally, the agreement extends the term of the carriage for CBS HD (East and West) channels, as well as Spike TV, CMT and TV Land. DISH Network will also launch Nicktoons on its America's Top 180 package this spring.

As part of the agreement, Viacom and DISH Network have settled all litigation between the two companies.

[Sue_Jackson]

We have Comcast where I live. So, we're safe. I don't think we will ever get satellite tv. We don't need over hundred tv channels. Comcast works just fine for us. ;)

[Lord Dalek]

Hooray, I knew this would resolve itself as quickly as the Disney/Time Warner dispute.

[Kyl416]

I know how fed up some people were. Dish Network has a history of being stubborn.

1. No YES Network
2. They refuse to pick up NWA-TNA: Total Nonstop Action
3. Then this Viacom incident

[Caffeine King]

Well I got my channels back, I'm happy. :shrug: